Wednesday, August 29, 2007

For the past month I've been obsessed with this Neo-Geo game called Super DodgeBall/Kunio no Nekketsu Toukyuu Densetsu. It's, easily, the best dodgeball game ever because it uses the Capcom/SNK 2-D fighter configurations of half circle forwards and backwards for super shots and deflect shots.

The computer is ruthless and there's no way you can get past the 2nd level unless you perform the special moves.

The bottom photo is a screen shot of the final boss team(on the right) which took me over a month to get to. I was so happy to finally get to them but I got smoked! My computer froze after I lost 5 matches in a row and I was so disgusted I couldn't even look at the game for 2 days.

This morning I jumped back in and rolled my way up to the boss team again. I tried everything to win just to see the ending. Mostly I kept trying to win by getting a lead then backing off and stalling, praying time would run out. But the boss team leader would switch forms in the final 30 seconds and, literally, start dropping the ball on my head obliterating me. So I tried something different.

I gave 100% the whole time from start to finish. When I got ahead I didn't back off and coast but went in full-boar with bad intentions. Every time I got the urge to stall I went in like a maniac balls flyin' everywhere. Then the leader switched forms...BOOM! Supershot on his big head! It was over. I was ecstatic but drained.

A few good risks, a few bad risks and nothing but complete heart. Sometimes that's all it takes.

Monday, August 27, 2007

After working in some illustration and animation studios in Minneapolis and Los Angeles it became clear my passion was not in production...and it showed. The more mindless the work the more I found myself doing re-dos.

I moved to LA to be an animator at Disney, Dreamworks, Cartoon Network, or one of the other big boys, but the process of trying to get into a studio coupled with the way some artists consistently got shafted...made the winds change.

I had no desire to work on a "studio test" for a week without pay and not get the job, or submit my portfolio and maybe get it back, or work for 2 months(or 2 weeks) on a project only to find myself jobless for 6 months like other friends who took that road. Nothing against the studios, they make some amazing work, sometimes, but "get in where you fit in". I realized, at this point in my life, I was not cut out for the studio life.

I had some cool freelance jobs but one disastrous one was the last straw and put me on the road to working on my own stuff full time no matter what the consequences.

So I fight the fight not just because I want to but I have no choice. I'm currently physically, mentally and emotionally unable to go to the same place everyday and work on things I have zero interest or desire for. Places like Giant Robot, Meltdown Comics and Cartoon Brew accepted and sometimes exalted people with my same "issues" and, unknowingly, gave me an outlet, a reason to be. Their beliefs and community of artists are a constant flow of inspiration.

I made this video(a few years ago) a short time after the bad freelance gig. 2 weeks to animate and edit. It's no masterpiece but it's not supposed to be. It's a dedication to my dream and freedom.

To my dream:: "I will love you always, all ways".

This video is terrible quality so I'll be uploading a crisp version on youtube sometime soon.

Monday, August 20, 2007

The All Flavors Welcome® Show is 2 months from today! 4 months ago I was complaining it was too far away...so now I switch gears from "ahhhh so much time..." to "gah! not enough time!"Here's a peek at the All Flavors Welcome® Activity book. The books include a work pencil, Yum Yum Chocobuns® button and come in the flavors of Banana Puddin'(yellow), Green Apple Crisp(green), and Blueberry Muffin(blue). Nums!

Sunday, August 5, 2007

While digging in some old boxes in my closet this morning I found an unopened brush pen. I lost or destroyed most of 'em wayyyy last year so what a nice surprise to get a freebee! I ended up blowing the afternoon making sketches with ink and pastel. After a flurry of strokes and smudges I had a nice pile of sketches...but I took a nap with my shoes on for some reason, woke up groggy and trampled over most of em. Here are the survivors...

Thursday, August 2, 2007

I spent my lunch hour driving home to see if I had received a check in the mail. In case the check didn’t come I didn’t want to drive 15 min home for nothing. So I’m posting this ink & pastel sketch I did a few hours ago while talking to a friend on the phone. He called up talking about his girlfriend and how it was like a fantasy. I remember him saying the exact same thing about his last 3 girlfriends. I had to start doodling something because I was STARVING and super low on energy thanks to devouring 2 handfuls of scrumptuous candies my boss bought. I was trembling and weak but strangely scribbling took my mind off the pain.

This is what got my energy back! Tandoori chicken with red smashed potatoes and coconut curries veggies from HealthyCA. Easily one of my favorite joints to eat in the noho area. A tad pricey but the food is outrageously delicious!

A few of my current psycho loves! Can you identify the items marked 1-9? To make it easier you don't have to name the character but from what property it's from. Send your answers to info@jupeykrusho.com Good luck!